St. Simons Island, Georgia

May 5th, 2014

We got a RV technician to look at our air conditioning and we need a new unit.  We need to get our warranty company to approve this.

We went on a road trip to St. Simons Island, Georgia.  On the way we passed several military and fire trucks going along and wondered if they were returning from a weekend exercise or a fire.

Once we got to St. Simons Island our first stop was St. Simons Lighthouse.

They were renovating the keepers house, shown here in front of the lighthouse and so we couldn't go in there.  They seem to be renovating the keepers houses at all the lighthouses we are going to.

We paid our money to go up the lighthouse and look at a video showing the history of the lighthouse and then headed to the lighthouse.

View from the gift shop at the keepers house and ocean in the background.

Through a rose garden with honeysuckle blooming as well.  It smelt lovely.

And into the lighthouse for our ascent.

Sue at the top of the 129 steps, whew!!!

The light at the top

The views from the top were awesome.

There was this house with an outside balcony, reminded me of Spain.

Another view from the top

After we descended we walked around the small grounds. 

Gazebo built on the site of an old water tank

The 30th G8 Summit was held at Sea Island, Georgia in 2004.  There was a plaque commemorating this in the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum. 

Next we went to the Maritime Museum which is in the old coast guard station. 

There is a plaque remembering two tankers who were torpedoed in WW2 and survivors brought here.

We went inside and I met Ollie who gave us a tour.

Someone had made a model of  USS Elrod, a frigate, which is still in active service.

 We climbed to the top of the coastguard station, not as many steps as the lighthouse but still a workout, especially after the lighthouse climb.

View from the top

Sue having a rest after the climb

Then we went into an area and Glen Miller's "In the Mood" from WWII was playing.  I couldn't help but dance or at least my version of dancing, which is not good.  Here is a very short VIDEO of me.  Please realize we were the only ones walking around and feel free to laugh.  Hopefully this will bring a smile to your face as Silly Sue comes to the forefront!!!

There were exhibits regarding the Scottish Highlanders.

After our visit to the Heritage Center we went to Fort Frederica National Monument.

The fort

Sue standing by the British flag

Sue sitting on the cannon

Remains of the barracks building

James Oglethorpe was a British General and founder of Georgia.  The town that was built here was built on a British concept of squares, the same as the city of Savannah.

The trees line where the streets were

Remains of a house

The Candlemakers House, remains of his tools have been found here

There are some interesting oak trees here.

The Spanish Moss hanging from the limbs is on a lot of the trees in  the south. It is said that it is not a true moss but a member of the pineapple family. I think it must be very spooky at night.

We had a great day and some good exercise.